George Thomason says Wanderers “gave ourselves too much to do” as they began the year with defeat at Mansfield.

The skipper was frustrated to give away a couple of soft goals and admitted it was always going to be an “uphill battle” at Field Mill from that point.

“It is frustrating,” he reflected. “Without going too much into the details they were two really poor goals to concede and too many chances squandered.

“First half, we had them on the ropes, opportunity after opportunity and we did not make the most of those moments.

“Second half, we knew it was going to be tougher because they had something to hold onto. We dominated the game.

“I think everyone could see we were the team on top, creating chances and pushing for goals, but we gave ourselves too much work to do.

“You can’t come away from home and concede two goals in that manner. It is always an uphill battle from there.”

Aaron Collins did get Bolton back in the game five minutes before the break, and Thomason insisted there was still belief they could get something from the game.

However, Wanderers struggled to carve out chances in the second half as Mansfield sat back and defended stubbornly.

“Even after they scored their first and second, there was great belief within the camp and within the team,” the midfielder added. “When we went in at half time, that is what the messages were.

“We knew it was going to be tougher in the second half because they get chance to assess things, an opportunity to change what they were doing and they made it tough.

“In that first half, we had chances. While the game was open, a lot of things were going for us and we didn’t take those.”

The game got physical at times after the break, but Thomason didn’t think that threw Bolton off their game.

Thomason battles for possession (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker) “They are going to do everything they can do get their crown on side to rile them up and slow us down. It is all part and parcel of the game,” he declared.

“Personally, I felt OK. Maybe one or two did (get sucked into that), I don’t know. You are kind of focusing on your own game and what you need to do at those points and staying level headed.

“Especially for myself, I can’t be getting mixed up in all that kind of business after picking up so many bookings last year, so it is not something I am consciously trying to get involved in or trying to be an aggressor. I am just trying to play my own game.”

The 23-year-old, who took on the captain’s armband earlier this season, was also quizzed about his role in the changing room and picking up his team-mates after disappointing results.

Thomason is keen to stay positive and adamant that recent setbacks have not been down to a lack of effort.

“(I will) just rally around the group,” he explained. “Everyone knows in there what they have done well and what they have done poorly.

“It is a group that has been together for long enough now and knows how to keep each other accountable.

“We know how we want to play so we should be able to keep accountable of everyone’s actions on the pitch.

“We just try to stay positive. We are trying harder than anyone to put in good performances and get wins but at the moment, we are not doing that.

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“Whether that is through a bit of luck, I am not sure. But I know these boys are trying their hardest day in, day out.”

The Whites have three more games coming up on the road, starting with the long trip to Exeter this weekend.

The Grecians sit 13th in the table following their last-gasp defeat at leaders Wycombe on New Year’s Day.

There is also a clash with Rotherham coming up as well as the Vertu Trophy round of 16 tie at Lincoln.

Thomason knows the next couple of weeks will not be easy but hopes that the Bolton squad can “dust ourselves down” quickly.

“I think every game in this division away from home is tough because teams make it difficult,” he said.

“We are in a privileged position where teams want to beat us, and that is not going to change whether you are doing well or poorly. We know it is going to be tough but we will dust ourselves down and go again.”